January 3, 2016

Ephesians 5:23 NLT - "For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the Church.  He is the Savior of His body, the Church."

Commentary:

Though one would think this is still an instruction for wives, the husbands who hear this should sit upright and pay attention!!  Christ is placing the husband in a very important position.  He is to be the leader in his home just as Christ is the leader in His Body.  And the husband is held accountable for his leadership!  That's an awesome responsibility!

The wife needs to see her husband in that role and she should do everything she can to support him.  He needs her encouragement and affirmation.  And the wife needs to see that God is expecting her to fulfill her responsibility as well.  Now, lets suggest something that might make this more understandable to each wife and give her all the more reason to obey this passage.  Is Jesus Christ your Lord?  Have you committed your life to Him and promised Him that you would serve Him?  And as you do have you had the joy of knowing that He is pleased with your service and given you a joyful satisfaction for doing so?  Well, can you also see that when you listen to your husband and trust his leadership that you can have the joy of knowing you have done what would please him, and in so doing, have pleased the Lord too? 

This does not mean that a wife has no input into her marriage and family!  A wise husband would remember that God first created woman to be alongside Adam and support him.  This would include giving good advice that would help him with the decisions he is called upon the make.  Examples of this in the Bible include the wife of Naaman who passed on to him the information her servant girl told her about Elisha.  Also, consider Elkanah's wife, Hannah, who prayed on her own for a son and wisely gave her son, Samuel, to the Lord, with Elkanah's approval.  Many more examples show how godly wives have helped their husbands do the right thing.  Wives, your accepting your husband's role of leadership in your family is pleasing to your Savior and will bring His blessing on you.